EFAX vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EFAX (SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EFAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE ex Fossil Fuels Index, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EFAX returned 7.48%/yr vs 20.44%/yr for XLE. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EFAX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

EFAX vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF (EFAX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EFAX achieves a 6.64% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 32.17% return.

EFAX

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 3.93%
• YTD: 6.64%
• 6M: 9.20%
• 1Y: 18.68%
• 3Y*: 16.03%
• 5Y*: 7.48%
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -1.14%
• YTD: 32.17%
• 6M: 29.80%
• 1Y: 45.00%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 20.44%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EFAX vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EFAX SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF	6.64%	31.30%	4.78%	18.02%	-16.72%	10.50%	9.57%	23.52%	-14.78%	23.93%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	32.17%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between EFAX and XLE is -0.10, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2016	0.36

The correlation between EFAX and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.36 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EFAX vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EFAX	XLE
Financial Services	18.6%	-
Technology	11.6%	-
Industrials	9.5%	-
Healthcare	9.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.1%	-
Basic Materials	3.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	-
Communication Services	3.2%	-
Real Estate	1.6%	-
Energy	1.5%	100.0%
Utilities	1.2%	-

Return for Risk

EFAX vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

EFAX

EFAX Risk / Return Rank: 33
EFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
EFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
EFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
EFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
EFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 63
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 60

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

EFAX vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF (EFAX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	EFAX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	2.21	-1.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.77	2.84	-1.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.35	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	3.75	-2.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.61	10.92	-5.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFAX vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is lower than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFAX and XLE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EFAX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.20	2.21	-1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.79	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.35	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.31	+0.22

Drawdowns

EFAX vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFAX drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFAX and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFAX	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-71.26%	+38.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.38%	-12.05%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.52%	-20.14%	+6.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.67%	-26.04%	-5.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	-6.15%	+4.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.97%	-17.98%	+11.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.34%	4.14%	-0.80%

Volatility

EFAX vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF (EFAX) is 5.24%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 8.25%. This indicates that EFAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EFAX	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.24%	8.25%	-3.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.11%	16.58%	-3.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.67%	20.53%	-4.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.66%	26.02%	-9.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.10%	29.59%	-12.49%

EFAX vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFAX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

EFAX vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

EFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, more than XLE's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFAX SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF	3.22%	3.31%	2.74%	2.71%	2.81%	2.58%	1.69%	2.71%	3.05%	2.89%	0.26%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.54%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFAX and XLE in my portfolio?

EFAX and XLE have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFAX or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (8.25%) compared to EFAX (5.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFAX dropped -32.53% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, EFAX or XLE?

On 5-year performance, XLE leads with 20.44% vs 7.48% for EFAX. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, EFAX has been the lower-risk option at 5.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFAX or XLE?

Over the 5-year period, XLE has performed better with a 20.44% return vs 7.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFAX or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for EFAX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EFAX or XLE?

EFAX has the higher dividend yield at 3.22%, compared with 2.54% for XLE.

What is the main difference between EFAX and XLE?

EFAX is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. EFAX tracks MSCI EAFE ex Fossil Fuels Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for EFAX and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.20), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.